GROWTH OF LAWLESSNESS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1931, Page 7

GROWTH OF LAWLESSNESS

(Sydney Telegraph)

Since the Great War, and because of it, the- power of law has greatly diminished. It is logical, but not meritorious that this should bo so. It is logical because the war violated all the established princip* es upon wnich political, moral and economic laws are founded, and great national satisfaction was expressed in most countries.at the manner in which this had been done. For example before the war the sanctity of human life was paramount in the civilised world. 'l'lie. ki'lkr was prescript, bunted down and executed. During lour years civilisation was engaged directly or vicariously in killing, and s " earnest were the civilised peoples at the, task that they enlisted the semicivilised and uncivilised to assist them to do it more extensively and more efficiently. It is not illogical that after that slaughter of millions there exists to-day a certain dubiety as to the sanctity of life. Again in regard to money all established principles were jettisoned during the war. From 1914 _to 1920 the world lived on inflation. Every nation in the w&r and most of those not in it financed by inflation, that is by tho issue of currency without a metal backing. In no way was reason and the established laws violated more heinously, and the unreason that remains is a prime cause of our trouble. Various names are offered for the present curious ago. but tho most anprooriate is surely the Age of Imreason." for the pre-war values have been destroyed or east aside, yet no new values have been created in their stead.

When groat nations behave so it irs nob strange that individuals also have tlioir doubts. The most dominant doubt of to-day is that laws are meant to bo obeyed . and there is some reason for the doubt owing to the failure of Governments to enforce laws. Emotionalism, which is a polite name for sentimentalism, has too loud a voice in the present times, and emotionalism, which is no relation of reason, is responsible for the increasing wave of lawlessness. Laws (have a purpose. They define and defend the rights and privileges of individuals. The breaking of a law means the invasion and perhaps the destruction of individual rights and liberties. It may not seem a serious matter to infringe some laws, and the assumption that the world is law-ridden to-day is probably justified. But the principle that stands behind tlm smallest law is exactly tlie same Its that which buttresses the greatest jaw. The right to' Ignore the 6life'"is' the' right t’o ignore the other, and the consequence must be a land of anarchy, where no laws are. Good conduct is the growth of habit and equally so is b a d conduct.

Practically all the great lawless movements of history have grown up from small causes, and for reasons which their originators have considered fully innocent. IJootleggiug and its parasites, wholesale murder ami community robbery, started from the reasonable but unlawful desire to enjoy a harmless drink at home. The Kn Tv lux Klan had the laudable intention of dcfbtiding the honor of white women against the negro population. Laws are made by the people for the people, and the people appoint a judiciary and an executive to enforc'd them. If a law be divorced from equity, as a famous judge admitted that too many laws are, it is not for the people though with the best intentions to frustrate the law, but for them to amend it. To-day in Australia there are many movements innocent in their origin, genuine in their Immunity. which aim at the frustration of the law. Those who support such movements those who participate in them, shoulci remember that example breeds habit. Jf one law is to be mobbed to-day, other laws will be mobbed to-mor-row, Until no law will lift its head. If it is the law that a. tenant h fl evicted, it is for those who administer the law to temper the wind. If others attempt to do it, confusion will he oiilv worse confounded. Lawlessness will become the law of the. laud.